Children and young people with learning and physical disabilities are being welcomed aboard a community barge for fun-filled day trips.

The Ethel Trust, based in Thorne, Doncaster, is funded by BBC Children in Need, and provides barge trips for learning and leisure.

The Ethel Trust take children and young people from Sheffield with learning and physical disabilities to spend days on their community barge which is based at Thorne Lock Marina, Lock Hill, Thorne. Our picture shows breakfast being enjoyed below deck.

Young people are introduced to inland waterways and encouraged to take part in the whole operation of the trip.

Emily Garner, who helps to promote Children in Need schemes nationwide, said: “These projects help to provide positive outcomes to children and young people in the UK.”

Everyone aboard is roped in to run the trip for themselves, from steering the barge and taking a lead with the rope work, to opening the locks.

The Ethel is a purpose-built community barge which offers day and residential trips to all groups from the very young to the elderly.

BBC Children in Need provides funding to 30 projects in Sheffield alone to the value of £1,147,098.

The projects provide light relief for children facing poverty, behavioural or psychological difficulties and disability.

The Ethel Trust is a unique project which helps to improve the confidence and self-esteem of young people.

It also helps to improve emotional wellbeing and life skills for those in need.

The BBC charity also provides a grant of £6,123 to the Ethel Trust to employ skippers and care workers to help manage the trips.

The Ethel can be found at Thorne Lock Marina, Lock Hill, Thorne.

Emily said: “This year the BBC Children in Need Appeal show is set to be phenomenal - everyone should get involved.”

Catch the fundraising extravaganza on BBC1 on Friday, November 15, at 7pm.